Sony announces PlayStation app for iOS and Android, will expand games to the second screen

Nintendo isn't the only gaming outfit playing around with a second screen -- Sony has plans of its own. The aptly named PlayStation app promises to expand gameplay to a player's iOS or Android device, propagating in-game maps, social networking tools or simply an easier way to access the PlayStation store. The application's functionality sounds an awful lot like the Wii U GamePad, though Sony hasn't mentioned if off-screen play via tablet will be a possibility. Even if that function doesn't come to your smartphone or tablet, it's definitely available on PlayStation Vita, which fills out the rest of the company's second screen plans with itsremote play feature. Looking for official details? Skip past the break for the relevant excerpt from Sony's official PS4 press release.

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PS4 Second Screens PS4 integrates second screens, including PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita), smartphones and tablets, to wrap gamers in their favorite content wherever they are. A key feature enabled by second screens is "Remote Play" and PS4 fully unlocks its potential by making PS Vita the ultimate companion device. With PS Vita, gamers will be able to seamlessly pull PS4 titles from their living room TVs and play them on PS Vita's beautiful 5-inch display and intuitive dual analog sticks over Wi-Fi networks It is SCEI's long-term vision is to make most PS4 titles playable on PS Vita.

A new application from SCE called "PlayStation®App" will enable iPhone, iPad, and Android based smartphones and tablets to become second screens. Once installed on these devices, users can, for example, see maps on their second screens when playing an adventure game, purchase PS4 games while away from home and download it directly to the console at home, or remotely watch other gamers playing on their devices.